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Fire safety campaign
18/08/2008
A hard-hitting fire safety campaign was launched today.
The eight-week 'Back to the Start' multi-media campaign warns homeowners about the risks of leaving electrical equipment switched on overnight or while away from the home.
Detailed analysis of the most recent annual fire statistics for Scotland has revealed:
- every week two families suffer fires in their home due to a faulty washing machine or dishwasher
- a defective light left switched on causes a fire in a Scottish home every ten days
- each fortnight a short circuit or other electrical problem with a television causes a domestic fire
- one in eight of all accidental domestic fires in Scotland are caused by faulty appliances or leads in the home
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said:
"The service's increasing focus on fire safety and prevention has led to a welcome fall in house fires in recent years, including those resulting in fatalities.
"These effective efforts, backed by past campaigns, mean there's a greater public awareness of the main risks: of chip-pan fires; from cooking or smoking while under the influence of alcohol; and from overloading plug sockets.
"Despite this progress, there can be no room for complacency in ensuring these messages are understood in every household in every community. The new campaign focuses on some of the other risks to our homes, in particular faulty electrical appliances.
"The fire risks from heat sources such as ovens, hobs and electric blankets are widely understood. However, every week in Scotland two families discover to their cost the dangers posed by faulty washing machines or dishwashers.
"While such faults are not always obvious, the greater danger they pose to our homes and families when unattended can be greatly reduced by ensuring they're turned off when no-one is around - both at the switch and at the socket.
"By getting that message across clearly, we can continue to reduce the risks of fire and further safeguard Scotland's communities."
Brian Sweeney, Chief Officer of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and the Scottish Fire Service's Community Fire Safety Champion, added:
"Appliances such as washing machines may be wonderful labour-saving devices but they turn nasty if they develop faults that could cause fires. I would urge everyone not to run appliances while they are sleeping or out of the house.
"I would also urge everyone to ensure that they have working smoke detectors and they know what to do if a fire breaks out in their home.
"If the answer is 'no' to both vital points, they need only contact their local fire station for a free home fire safety visit and free smoke detectors if they need them."
Lorraine Carney, campaign manager of the Electrical Safety Council also backed the initiative, saying:
"Because it surrounds us in our homes and we use it everyday we tend to take electricity for granted, forgetting that it's a potential killer if it's not treated with respect.
"Nearly half the house fires in Scotland are caused by faulty electrical appliances or misuse of electrical equipment, yet many could be prevented by taking simple and sensible precautions, like switching off appliances when we go out or go to bed.
"The Electrical Safety Council very much welcomes the Scottish Government's fire safety campaign and we hope that together we can help reduce the number of electrical fires in the home."
The Back to the Start campaign involves broadcast, print online and outdoor advertisements and follows the 'No Chance' advertising campaign, launched in 2004, which focused on the dangers of overloading sockets.
'Fire Statistics Scotland 2006' reported 6,972 dwellings fires, of which 5,591 were accidental. Of these 2,564 were attributed to the misuse of equipment, 686 to faulty appliances or leads (110 involving washing machines or dishwashers) and 168 to faulty fuel supplies. Chip pan fires, careless handling of fire and placing articles too close to heat were among the other main causes.